Container

ABSTRACT

A lid for a container. The lid includes an upper lid, slider, and lower lid, the upper lid and slider pivotable about a lid hinge relative to the lower lid. A slider lock portion and lower lid lock portion securing the upper lid and slider to the lower lid. A handle assembly for engaging a bottle, the handle assembly having a collar and base with a handle disposed therebetween.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisionalU.S. Patent Application No. 61/383,189 filed on Sep. 15, 2010, thedisclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers for beverages and the like have become increasingly popular.One common usage for such beverage containers is during activities, suchas sporting events, cardiovascular workouts or strength training. Mostbeverage containers require a user to hold the container with one handby gripping the container and operate the lid or closure with the otherhand. However, during activity, both gripping the container andproviding two-hand usage may be difficult. In addition, many priorbeverage containers have a round shape, which facilitates rolling if thecontainer is knocked over during activity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a containercomprising a bottle, a lid, and a handle assembly. The bottle has aspout and a body. The lid comprises an upper lid connected to a slider,the slider rotatable in relation to the upper lid. The lid furthercomprises a lower lid connectable with the spout, the lower lid hingedlyconnected to the upper lid by a lid hinge such that the upper lid andslider are pivotable with respect to the lower lid about the lid hinge.The slider has a slider lock portion engageable with a lower lid lockportion to prevent movement of the upper lid and slider about the lidhinge. The handle assembly includes a strap coupled to a base and acollar, the collar disposed about the spout and the base disposed abouta portion of the body.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a lid forengaging a beverage container having a spout and a body. The lidcomprises an upper lid connected to a slider, the slider axiallyrotatable in relation to the upper lid. A slider bias is disposedbetween the upper lid and the slider. The lid further comprises a lowerlid having an outlet disposable within the upper lid, the lower lidhingedly connected to the upper lid by a lid hinge. The slider has aslider lock portion engageable with a lower lid lock portion to preventmovement of the upper lid and slider about the lid hinge. A lid hingebias biases the lid hinge open.

In another embodiment, the present invention relates to a containercomprising a bottle and handle assembly. The bottle has a spout and abody, the body including an upper segment, a middle segment, and a lowersegment with a base portion. The handle assembly includes a strap iscoupled at a first end to the base and adjustably coupled to the collarsuch that a folded portion of the strap overlays a base-to-collarportion of the strap. The collar is disposed about the spout and thebase disposed about a stepped portion of the bottle body.

Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the presentdisclosure may be set forth from consideration of the following detaileddescription, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood thatboth the foregoing summary of the present disclosure and the followingdetailed description are exemplary and intended to provide furtherexplanation without further limiting the scope of the present disclosureclaimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages ofthe disclosure will become more apparent and better understood byreferring to the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a container; FIG. 1B is a front view ofthe container of FIG. 1A; FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view along LineA-A of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 2A is a front view of a lid in the closed position; FIG. 2B across-section of the lid of FIG. 2A along Line B-B; FIG. 2C is a sideview of a lid in the open position; FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view ofthe upper lid along line B-B;

FIG. 2E is a side view of the slider; and

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a handle assembly; FIG. 3B is aperspective view of a container having a handle assembly with a strapunsecured at one end; FIG. 3C is a perspective view of a containerhaving a handle assembly with a secured strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. In the drawings,similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless contextdictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in thedetailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting.Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made,without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matterpresented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of thepresent disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated inthe figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in awide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitlycontemplated and made part of this disclosure.

FIGS. 1A-C illustrate a container in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention. FIG. 1A is an exploded view of a container. The containercomprises a bottle 100, a lid 200, and, in certain embodiments, a handleassembly 300.

With continued reference to FIG. 1A-C, the bottle 100 defines aninterior volume that may be filled with material such as a beverage. Thebottle 100 includes a spout 110 having an opening 111 providing an inletand outlet to the interior volume. The bottle 100 further includes abody portion 130. The body 130 may have a diameter substantially lessthan that of spout 110. A transition shoulder 120 may be provided totransition from the body 130 to the spout 110.

The body 130 may include a number of body segments 131, 132, 133 ofdifferent size and/or shape. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.1A-C, the body 130 comprises an upper segment 131, a middle segment 132,and a lower segment 133. The upper segment 131 is positioned adjacent tothe shoulder 120, the middle segment 132 is positioned adjacent theupper segment 131 and the lower segment 133. In the embodiment shown inFIGS. 1A-C, the upper segment 131 and lower segment 133 include asubstantially similar maximum width which is larger than that of themiddle segment 132

In one embodiment, the body 130 has a substantially non-circularcross-section, such that the container 10 provides resistance to rollingif placed on a side. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-C, the body 130 may havea substantially polygonal cross-section, such as a square with cornerswhich are rounded for user comfort.

The bottle 100 may be formed of a transparent, translucent, or opaquematerial. The bottle 100 is removable from both the lid 200 and thehandle assembly 300.

With reference to FIGS. 2A-F, the lid 200 includes an upper lid 210, aslider 230, and a lower lid 250. The upper lid 210 is further coupled tothe lower lid 250, such as by a lid hinge 270 as further describedbelow. The upper lid 210 is rotatably coupled to the slider 230 suchthat the slider is partially rotatable within the upper lid 210. Theslider 230 may snap-fit within the upper lid 210. The slider 230 mayinclude a protrusion 243 engageable with a recess 213 of the lid suchthat the slider 230 snap fits into position with the protrusion 243disposed within the recess 213. The range of axial motion of the slider230 is limited by the ability of the protrusion 243 to slide within therecess 213. It should be appreciated that the placement of the recess213 may be on the slider 230 and the protrusion 243 on the upper lid210. In one embodiment, the slider 230 is biased towards one extreme ofits axial range of motion, such as by torsion spring 231.

In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2E, the slider comprises a sliderbody 240 disposable within the upper lid 210 and a slider face plate 241external to the upper lid 210 and lower lid 250. The slider 230 includesa slider lock portion 234 engageable with a lower lid lock portion 254.In a particular aspect, the slider lock portion 234 is located on theslider face plate 241. In one embodiment, the lower lid lock portion 254comprises a lock protrusion 255 engageable with a lock recess 235. Itshould further be appreciated that the location of the lock protrusion255 and lock recess 235 on the slider 230 and lower lid 250,respectively, may be switched. In one aspect of the invention, the lockrecess 235 has a vertical portion 237 and a horizontal portion 236. Whenthe lock protrusion 255 is within the horizontal portion 236, the upperlid 210 and slider 230 are retained against the lower lid 250 and thelid 200 is closed. The slider 230 may be rotated such that the lockprotrusion 255 moves from the horizontal portion 236 to the verticalportion 237. A lid biasing mechanism, such as lid hinge spring 272described below, biases the upper lid 210 and slider 230 such that whenthe lock protrusion 255 is in the vertical portion 237, the lockprotrusion 255 slides out of the lock recess 235 and the lid 200 opens.Alternative mechanisms for the slider 230 engaging the lower lid 250 mayinclude sliding upwards and or a hook and loop type closure.

The slider biasing mechanism 231 described above may bias the slider 230into a locked position, i.e. where the lock protrusion 255 is within thehorizontal portion 236 of the lock recess 235. In one embodiment, theslider 230 must be depressed inward toward the lower lid 250 to allowthe lock protrusion 255 to slide within the lock recess 235. Thehorizontal portion 236 of the lock recess 235 may not be strictlyhorizontal, but may be angled with respect to true horizontal to alterthe ease or difficulty of sliding the lock protrusion 255. For example,the horizontal portion 236 may be angled downwards as towards thejunction with the vertical portion 237 such that the bias of the lidhinge spring 272 serves to retain the lid 200 in the locked position. Incontrast, the horizontal portion 236 may be angled upwards towards thejunction with the vertical portion 237 such that the bias of the lidhinge spring 272 serves to assist in sliding the lock protrusion 255 andworks, to some extent, against the bias of the slider biasing mechanism231 in embodiments including it.

In one embodiment, the components of which are shown in an explodedmanner in FIG. 1A, the lid hinge 270 includes a hinge pin 271 and a lidhinge spring 272. A upper lid hinge portion 218 and a lower hingeportion 258 are engageable to receive the pin 271 to form the lid hinge270. The lid hinge spring 272 provides a bias such that the lid 200 isbiased to the open position.

In one embodiment, the upper lid 210 and the slider 230 include a upperlid bias recess and a slider bias recess, respectively, for receivingthe slider bias mechanism. Annular lugs 238 may be provided to retainand guide the slider biasing mechanism 231. In one embodiment, theannular lugs 238 provide smoother rotational movement by minimizingsurface contact between components.

In one embodiment, the upper lid 210 includes a upper lid sliderfaceplate lip 219 and the lower lid 250 includes a lower lid sliderfaceplate lip 259. The upper lip 219 and lower lip 259 form a cavity inwhich the slider face plate 241 is slidably retained when the lid 200 isclosed. The slider face plate 241 is engageable by a user to actuate thelocking mechanism including the slider lock portion 234 and the lowerlid lock portion 254.

The spout 110 may include a threaded portion 117 for engaging the lid200 having a corresponding lid threaded portion 257. In a particularaspect, the threading will be such that a quarter turn will release thelid 200 from the spout 110. However other threading or attachmentarrangements are contemplated, such as friction fit and the arrangementmay have internal threading on the spout and external threading on thelid or vice-versa.

Further, gaskets may be provided at the interface of componentsdescribed herein to provide a liquid-tight seal. For example, a lidgasket 199 may be provided between the lid 200, and in particular thelower lid 250, and the spout 110. The gasket 199 may be formed ofsilicone or other similar material that forms a liquid tight seal

The lid 200 may include a filter (not shown) in the lid opening, such asto assist in retaining ice within the container 10.

In one embodiment, a spout opening plug 233 is provided to aid insealing the spout opening 111 when the lid is closed. The spout openingplug 233 may be sized to cover or fit within the spout opening 111 andform a liquid-tight seal. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, a slidercap 232 is provided connected to the upper lid 210 such as by sonicwelding, adhesive, or the like. The slider cap 232 retains the slider230 coupled to the upper lid 210 while allowing the slider 230 torotate. The spout opening plug 233 snap-fits with the slider cap 232.Alternatively, the spout opening plug 233 may be a integral with theslide cap 232, such as being permanently molded in place.

With reference to FIGS. 3A-C, the handle assembly 300 is removablycoupled to the bottle 100 such that bottle 100 may be used with the lid200 with or without the handle assembly 300 coupled to the bottle 100.The handle assembly 300 as shown in FIG. 3A comprises a handle 310secured to a collar 320 and a base 340.

The handle 310 provides a user with a mechanism to easily grip thecontainer 10 with one hand. In one embodiment, the handle 310 comprisesa strap 311 extending from the collar to the base 340. The strap 311 mayprovide for an adjustment in length, such as by having a length longerthan the distance from the collar to the base, such that a foldedportion 312 of the strap 311 is folded back upon a base-to-collarportion 313 of the strap 311 and allows for adjustment of the length ofthe strap extending from the collar to the base. A mechanism forsecuring the handle may be provided. As shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the strap311 may include a plurality of holes 318. A strap button 314 isengageable with one or more of the plurality of holes 318 to secure thestrap 311. For example, the strap button 314 may include a top buttonsection 316 and a bottom button section 315 removably engageable witheach other, the bottom button section 315 insertable through one of theplurality of holes 318 in the base-to-collar strap portion 313 and thetop button section 316 insertable through corresponding one of theplurality of holes 318 in the folded portion of the strap 311, such thatthe folded portion 312 is secured to the strap 311.

In one embodiment, the collar 320 is integrated into the lower lid 250,such that the handle 310 is connected to the lower lid 250. In oneembodiment, the lid 200 and handle assembly 300 are configured to coupleto a standard disposable water bottle, wherein the lid 300 replaces thedisposable lid and the base 340 engages the bottom portion of thedisposable water bottle securing the handle 310 to the disposable waterbottle.

In one embodiment, the bottle 100 is rotatable relative to the handleassembly.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3B and 3C, the collar 320 is disposable aboutthe spout 110. The collar 320 may be threadably engaged with the spout110.

The base 340 may include a base body 341 and a non-skid base pad 342upon which the handle assembly 300 rests. The base 340 may have acomplementary shape to a lower segment stepped portion 140, such thatthe lower body portion is partially disposed within the base. The lowersegment 133 may be secured to the base 340 such as by snap-fit, frictionfit, or the like. In one embodiment a protrusion 345 on one of the base340 or lower segment 133 engages a corresponding recess 145 on the otherof the base 340 or lower segment 133 to removably connect the bottle 100with the base 340. In one embodiment, the lower segment stepped portion140 is disposable within the base 340 such that the base 340 has across-sectional area substantially the same as the remainder of thelower segment 133 to provide a uniform size to the exterior of thecontainer 10 in the lower segment 133 when the base 340 is coupled tothe bottle 100. In one embodiment, the base 340 includes an throughopening 347 into which a lower segment protrusion 141 is disposable andexposed to a surface on which the container 10 rests.

The handle 310 may be connect to the collar 320 by a collar hinge 330,such as a strap ring 331. The handle 310 may be connected to the base340 by a base hinge 350, such as having a handle core 351 secured via abase hinge pin 352 to base hinge portion 343.

The lid 200 provides a user with the ability to open the container 10with one hand and without contacting the spout 110 or lower lid outlet251. The lid hinge bias 272 may allow a user to flip the upper lid 210and slider 230 out of the way to allow for dispensing from the container10.

The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended tobe exhaustive or limiting with respect to the precise form disclosed,and modifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed embodiments.It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claimsappended hereto and their equivalents.

1. A container comprising: a bottle having a spout and a body; a lidcomprising an upper lid connected to a slider, the slider rotatable inrelation to the upper lid; the lid further comprising a lower lidconnectable with the spout, the lower lid hingedly connected to theupper lid by a lid hinge such that the upper lid and slider arepivotable with respect to the lower lid about the lid hinge; the sliderhaving a slider lock portion engageable with a lower lid lock portion toprevent movement of the upper lid and slider about the lid hinge; and ahandle assembly including a strap coupled to a base and a collar, thecollar disposed about the spout and the base disposed about a portion ofthe body.
 2. The container of claim 1, further comprising a lid hingebias.
 3. The container of claim 1, wherein the slider lock portioncomprises one of a lock protrusion or lock recess and the lower lid lockportion includes an other of the lock protrusion or the lock recesswherein the lock protrusion is slidable within the lock recess.
 4. Thecontainer of claim 1, further comprising a spout opening plug, the spoutopening plug coupled to the upper lid and forming a liquid-tight seal ofthe spout when the lid is closed.
 5. The container of claim 1, whereinthe strap is coupled at a first end to the base and adjustably coupledto the collar such that a folded portion of the strap overlays abase-to-collar portion of the strap, the collar disposed about the spoutand the base disposed about a stepped portion of the bottle body.
 6. Thecontainer of claim 5, wherein the handle assembly includes a strapbutton affixing the folded portion of the strap to the base-to-collarportion of the strap.
 7. The container of claim 1, wherein the lockrecess comprises a first recess and a second recess, the first recessbeing substantially horizontal and the second recess being substantiallyvertical wherein the lock protrusion is slidably removable from the lockrecess via the second recess.
 8. The container of claim 1, wherein thebody has a plurality of segments and includes at least one segmentdefining a widest segment of the bottle and having a substantiallypolygonal cross-section.
 9. A lid for engaging a beverage containerhaving a spout and a body, comprising: an upper lid connected to aslider, the slider axially rotatable in relation to the upper lid; aslider bias disposed between the upper lid and the slider; the lidfurther comprising a lower lid having an outlet disposable within theupper lid, the lower lid hingedly connected to the upper lid by a lidhinge; a lid hinge bias biasing the lid hinge open; and the sliderhaving a slider lock portion engageable with a lower lid lock portion toprevent movement of the upper lid and slider about the lid hinge. 10.The lid of claim 9 wherein the slider lock portion comprises one of alock protrusion or lock recess and the lower lid lock portion includesan other of the lock protrusion or the lock recess wherein the lockprotrusion is slidable within the lock recess.
 11. The lid of claim 9further comprising a spout opening plug, the spout opening plug coupledto the upper lid and forming a liquid-tight seal of the spout when thelid is closed.
 12. The lid of claim 9 coupled to a handle assemblyincluding a strap coupled at a first end to a base and adjustablycoupled to the lower lid such that a folded portion of the strapoverlays a portion of the strap extending from the base to the lowerlid.
 13. The lid of claim 9 further comprising a slider face plateexternal to the upper lid and slidably disposed between an upper lid lipand lower lid lip when the lid is closed, the slider face plateincluding the slider lock portion.
 14. A container comprising: a bottlehaving a spout and a body, the body including an upper segment, a middlesegment, and a lower segment with a base portion; a handle assemblyincluding a strap is coupled at a first end to the base and adjustablycoupled to the collar such that a folded portion of the strap overlays abase-to-collar portion of the strap, the collar disposed about the spoutand the base disposed about a stepped portion of the bottle body. 15.The container of claim 14, further comprising a lid having an upper lidconnected to a slider, the slider rotatable in relation to the upperlid; the lid further comprising a lower lid connectable with the spout,the lower lid hingedly connected to the upper lid by a lid hinge suchthat the upper lid and slider are pivotable with respect to the lowerlid about the lid hinge; the slider having a slider lock portionengageable with a lower lid lock portion to prevent movement of theupper lid and slider about the lid hinge.
 16. The container of claim 15,wherein the handle assembly includes a strap button affixing the foldedportion of the strap to the portion of the strap extending from the baseto the collar.
 17. The container of claim 14 wherein the strap ishingedly coupled to the collar and hingedly coupled to the base.
 18. Thecontainer of claim 14, wherein the bottle is rotatable in relation tothe handle assembly.
 19. The container of claim 14 wherein the lowersegment of the bottle has a bottom reduced portion disposable within thebase such that the base has a shape and perimeter substantially the sameas a remainder of the lower segment.
 20. The container of claim 14further comprising an opening in the base into which a bottom steppedprotrusion of the lower body segment is disposable.